THE VISIONARY

PAUL NEGULESCU

Years working on CF: 20

SVP, San Diego Research & San Diego Site Head

AH-HA! Moment

I remember when we were first getting started with our CF research, and we were considering various options. During this time, I met a man living with CF who told me: "whatever you do, don't make another inhaled therapy." That moment helped me see that we needed to focus on a pill that would treat the underlying cause of this disease.

I learned about CFTR from scientists, but I learned about CF from patients and their families.

THE MEMENTOS

"Every person with CF who I've met and every momento I've received along the way is a reminder that we aren't done. Over the years, I've had the incredible opportunity to meet so many people living with CF. I have a bookmark given to me by a 6-year-old child with CF, who is now 18. In one of the most emotional experiences of my life, a man living with CF in Germany gave me a ring he's worn his entire life. I experience so much joy when I meet someone who is taking one our treatments, but then I'll meet someone who isn't eligible and I'm hit with the reality of how much more work we have to do."

THE ARTIST

SABINE HADIDA

Years working on CF: 15

Sr. Director, Chemistry

AH-HA! Moment

When I exposed donated CF lung cells to one of our compounds and I saw the mucus flowing and the cilia beating for the first time. Right then I was convinced we were on the right path to helping patients.

I can remember every single molecule I've made for the last 15 years. Each one has taught me something.

THE CELL WHISPERER

TIM NEUBERGER

Years working on CF: 16

Senior Research Scientist, Biology

Motivation

In 2004, I held in my hands the first pair of donated lungs from a young CF patient, who passed away just before Christmas. While this child is no longer with us, a part of him is still alive. Even today, 12 years later, we periodically use some of his cells to test the newest Vertex research compounds, which may one day become a part of the next approved medicine for people with CF.

Since we received the first pair of donated lungs for CF research, not a day goes by that there isn't someone in the lab looking after the cells taken from them. Working on this program has changed my life. We are so grateful for the contributions of the CF community.

THE CARETAKER

ANGELA KEMNITZER

Years working on CF: 17

Research Scientist I, Discovery Core

AH-HA! Moment

I'll never forget the day Tim Neuberger came to me and told me we were going to start culturing and scaling human bronchial epithelial cells (hBEs) for research. I worked almost an entire year to build our cell daycare from the ground up. I'm so thankful for the opportunity.

I've spent my entire career at Vertex working on CF, beginning as an intern in college. Seventeen years later, I never thought in my wildest dreams that we'd have two approved CF medicines. The CF community has given us the greatest gift by donating cells for research, and I see it as my responsibility to come to work every day to take care of these cells.

THE CELL FEEDING MACHINE

When CF lungs are donated, the cells are harvested and then incubated so they can breathe and grow. Caring for them was previously a manual, time-intensive process. So Taylor Goldbeck, a research associate II, worked with our Robotics team to create a "cell feeding machine" that allowed us to house up to 6.5 billion cells at a time in our daycare. Meanwhile, Jackie Stupack, a senior research associate, worked closely with Taylor on a streamlined organizational system the team uses to track and care for the cells.

THE FLASK

I have every visiting CF patient sign a flask and I keep it with me while I work. Chemistry is a very manual, labor-intensive process and experiments usually don't work out. In those moments of failure, I look over at these flasks on the shelf and they remind me why we keep going every day. There's no better motivation.

THE INVENTOR

AH-HA! Moment

When I heard the news the FDA had approved an expanded indication for our CF medicine, it was an exciting moment for me because the invitro data was largely obtained on instruments I helped design.

I had a childhood friend pass away from CF in 1971. My life's work has really come full circle. I'm responsible for building custom lab tools and instruments to solve challenges we face in our research, helping to bring medicines to those living with CF faster. It's an incredible project to be a part of.

THE CONSTRUCTOR

VIJI ARUMUGAM

Years working on CF: 13

Research Scientist, Chemistry

Motivation

I'll never forget watching patients and their family members testify at the FDA Advisory Committee meeting for our second CF medicine. I was awed and humbled by the faith and confidence of the people who we have been working so hard to help. That moment is my motivation to keep working each and every day.

When I first joined Vertex in 2004, I had no idea what CF was. It has been a great learning curve for me, and an eye-opening experience to see the impact the disease has on patients. It's been a great privilege to be a part of this team and to experience the energy, hard work and the dedication each scientist brings with them to work every day.

THE CHALLENGE SEEKER

JINGLAN ZHOU

Years working on CF: 13

Research Fellow I, Chemistry

AH-HA! Moment

When we first saw the in vivo pharmacokinetic data for our CF medicine it was so exciting. That moment, I knew that we had possibly removed another roadblock to bringing this potential medicine to people living with CF. I remember seeing Sabine and Peter as they were walking into the building and they were not aware of the data yet. I waved to them holding a printout of the data and yelled, "we got it!"

As a medicinal chemist, it is so rewarding to be part of the team that discovered our CF medicines.

THE ORCHESTRATOR

HEATHER CLARK

Years working on CF: 18

Director, Program Management

AH-HA! Moment

I still can recall the chills and emotion that I felt when I first heard the results from our proof-of-concept study of our first CF medicine. The data showed that the science worked. I can close my eyes and remember that moment like it was yesterday. Even today, it still gives me chills.

I remember the moment when I realized the totality of this disease. Early on, I met a woman with CF. Her sister passed away from the disease, fighting for her last breath as they held each other. That had a profound impact on me and, to this day, I still fight for them.

THE ARCHIVE KEEPER

BEN SELF

Years working on CF: 15

Research Scientist I, Discovery Core

When I have to stay late to get something done or meet a deadline, I remember the faces and stories of all of the people living with CF who I've met over the years. And I remind myself what I would want someone to do for my own children. Vertex is made up of people who refuse to believe something is impossible.

THE PERSISTENT

LICONG JIANG

Years working on CF: 15

Fellow II, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics

AH-HA! Moment

When I saw the results from the clinical studies of our third potential CF medicine, it was exhilarating! I touch these molecules so early on in a project and it’s a long journey before they may make it to a patient.

Following a molecule through from the very first pharmacokinetic study all the way to a new drug application is extremely exciting. The process may be bumpy — but we learn, we solve problems, we grow together, and we work for patients.

THE MAGNIFIER

ARMANDO URBINA

Years working on CF: 8

Scientist II, Process Chemistry

AH-HA! Moment

The day our first CF medicine was approved by the FDA was so memorable. I had been working on CF for three years, but never experienced the excitement and emotion that I felt that day. It helped me better understand just how important our work is to people living with this terrible disease.

In my years at Vertex, I have witnessed a few firsts, and even been fortunate to contribute with some of my own through the first synthesis of one of our investigational CF products. It's rare for a Process Chemist like me to be involved with a first synthesis – but I think that's just one of the many ways Vertex is unique.

THE FORMULATOR

ALI KESHAVARZ-SHOKRI

Years working on CF: 12

Director, Materials, Discovery & Characterization

Motivation

For me, hearing about a 60-year-old man living with CF who has overcome remarkable odds is incredible. His hope and courage makes me believe that we will someday rid every child and adult from this devastating disease.

"I have come to understand and truly admire the resilience of those living with CF, particularly with the uncertainty that comes with this disease."

THE INNOVATOR

FRED VAN GOOR

Years working on CF: 16

Principal Research Fellow

AH-HA! Moment

When I first saw the proof-of-concept data for our first CF medicine, it was the day when all the science came together. It confirmed that we were on the right path. But I also recognized we had more work to do to bring a medicine to all people with CF.

The field of CF research has completely shifted throughout my career to a focus on CFTR science and our first CF medicine played a huge role in that. I don't take for granted how incredibly lucky I am to be a part of this for so long.

USSING CHAMBER

"The Ussing chamber allows us to test the activity of our compounds in human bronchial epithelial cells. It's like creating little lungs in a dish. The first time we received these kinds of cells from a patient with CF, we couldn't wait to test to see if there was activity when we added one of our investigational medicines. I had the experiment scheduled for a Thursday. But when I came in that day, the lab was a mess. It turns out that Fred Van Goor was so anxious to run the test that he had come in at 1 a.m. and ran the experiment! The rest is history as it was the first time we saw activity – the cilia beating and a decrease in mucus. For me, that's when I knew we were doing something special. I knew I had more than just a job and a real shot at helping people living with this disease"

THE MASTERMIND

PETER GROOTENHUIS

Years working on CF: 15

Senior Director, Chemistry

AH-HA! Moment

I remember sitting across from Paul Negulsecu as we heard data from the clinical study of our first CF medicine for the first time. At the moment, I looked at Paul and I knew this was not only great news for the CF community, but a validation of the science. I remember Paul saying to me, "sometimes science really works," and I felt so proud to be a part of this program.

Most people think machines and robots make medicines. I wish everyone knew that there are passionate people behind the work – hundreds of people for decades have committed themselves to making medicines that help people with CF.

LUNG LAB

In December 2004, we received our first donated CF lung for research. Since then, Tim Neuberger, a senior research scientist in Biology, has worked on close to 60 donated lungs, gathering cells that are used every day in our CF research. He developed a method – now widely used in CF and other types of research – that isolates human bronchial epithelial cells from lungs by expanding and differentiating the cells into functional airway epithelium. Each time we receive a donated lung, Tim wears the same "lucky" lab coat.

CELL DAYCARE

"We have the world's largest bank of CF diseased human bronchial epithelial (hBEs) cells. Our CF research is entirely supported by donated primary human cells, which allows us to more accurately predict how our research medicines may respond in people living with CF. My team has it down to a science, and are available 24/7 to care for the cells as if they were our own children. Feeding them and maintaining them. Keeping these cells stable is crucial so that the chemists can do their work."

THE CONNECTOR

BRIAN BEAR

Years working on CF: 14

Sr. Research Scientist, Chemistry

Motivation

I remember meeting a high school age young man who was taking one of our medicines. I looked into his eyes as he said a simple "thank you for what you do." At that moment, I couldn't help but realize the humanity of all the challenges our team has overcome to bring a medicine to him and others with CF. I am forever grateful to him for giving that moment to me.

Taking CF patients and their families on tours of facilities is the best part of my day. We hear how inspiring it is to see where these discoveries are made, meet the scientists and feel our passion – but little do they know how motivating it is for us to meet them face-to-face.

THE BUILDER

JASON MCCARTNEY

Years working on CF: 13

Senior Research Scientist, Chemistry

Motivation

I spend most of my days at the lab bench, so it's very motivating when we can humanize the diseases we work on. It really is special to be part of a team that's working to shape the future of CF. Not only are we helping patients, we are giving hope to the whole CF community.

Making a new medicine is like putting together Lego® pieces of different shapes and sizes until you find exactly what you're looking for. There isn't a blueprint for what we're trying to do, and the challenge is thrilling.

THE SECRET WEAPON

MINH VUONG

Years working on CF: 19

Sr. Director, Instrumentation

AH-HA! Moment

Nothing beats thinking with one's own hands. The idea for the Ussing Chamber was based on computer models that we didn't think were possible. Working with the team to build it with our own hands, and seeing it used in our science is a powerful thing.

Drug discovery, engineering and physics go hand in hand. This is woven into our culture, and it's our secret weapon. I like the challenge of building something from scratch to solve a problem when we can't buy a solution.

THE ARCHITECT

MARK MILLER

Years working on CF: 15

Director, Chemistry

AH-HA! Moment

The science behind our medicines is incredibly complex. We've had to be creative and take some non-conventional approaches to be successful. For me, I was challenged with scaling up our second CFTR medicine in a very short timeline with no starting point. I discovered a basic route that I didn't think would work – but we now use it on a metric-ton scale.

Working on CF has become my life's work. I live and breathe it every day. There are incredible highs – and lows. One minute I may meet a CF patient on one of our medicines, and the next, I'll meet a mom who is hoping for a treatment that may help their child. I want to help move forward research for new medicines as quickly as I can.

THE CULTIVATOR

AH-HA! Moment

The first time that I saw one of our compounds exposed to CF lung cells was truly astounding. The cilia were beating and the airway surface was rehydrating.

I remember attending a lecture by Paul Quinton, a famous CF researcher who is also living with the disease, as an undergrad Physiology student. I never would have dreamed that I would end up working in his lab, and then eventually at Vertex, focused on research for medicines that target the underlying cause of the disease.

THE OPTIMIZER

WEICHAO CHEN

Years working on CF: 6

Sr. Director, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics

Motivation

I'll never forget an opportunity I had to meet a young woman living with CF. She came to the San Diego site to tell her story and she sang the National Anthem. I remember crying. Seeing the real impact we can make is a huge motivation.

My team has the challenge of making sure our CF medicines are absorbed properly in the body, and assessing their drug-interaction profile. I'm very fortunate to work on this life-changing project. I feel blessed.

THE CHEMIST

RAY GROSS

Years working on CF: 3

Research Fellow I, Chemistry

Motivation

The niece of a close family friend passed away two years ago while waiting for a double lung transplant. That was an eye opening experience for me. When things get tough or frustrating in the lab, I push myself for her.

I've worked on many different projects in my career, but none have been as rewarding as the time I've spent working on CF.

THE BIOLOGIST

Tim Young

Years working on CF: 5

Research Fellow II, Biology

Motivation

I visited Vertex with my family when I accepted the job, before my first day in the office. We sat at a table with CF parents who were so grateful of the work Vertex was doing. I was just blown away and thought to myself – "yep, this is where the magic happens!"

When you take a step back, you realize you are part of something truly incredible, from the science and the team to the patients and their families. Everyone is working toward the same goal - to fundamentally change the face of a human disease.

BEILI ZHANG

BEILI ZHANG

Years working on CF: 12

Sr. Scientist, Materials, Discovery & Characterization

Motivation

My daughter had asthma attacks when she was young. Every time I heard her coughing at night, I would stay by her bed wondering if we'd have to go to the hospital. I cannot imagine what having a child with CF is like. That drives me every day to work as hard as I can to help bring new medicines to people with CF as quickly as possible.

The Science of Possibility

Vertex creates new possibilities in medicine to cure diseases and improve people's lives. We work with leading researchers, doctors, public health experts and other collaborators who share our vision for transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society.

Join Us

Giving Back

KALYDECO, the KALYDECO logo, ORKAMBI, the ORKAMBI logo, Vertex and the Vertex triangle logo are registered trademarks of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.
SYMDEKO and the SYMDEKO logo are trademarks of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.
All other trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners.

Cookies

This site uses cookies to provide you with a more responsive and personalized service. By using this site you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Please read our cookie notice for more information on the use of cookies on this website.